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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
I admit I would have struggled to complete this if I had not seen the musical and the film, and had an idea of how the plot and the characters were unfolding. The main problem is: when this book is good it's five-star brilliant but when it's bad it's one-star awful and it's only good for a couple of chapters at at time before being bad for a couple of chapters, so whenever you really start to get into it and enjoy it, it becomes a trial again. The other problem is that the boring, seemingly irrelevant bits, are usually there to develop subtle plot points - such as the whole section on Waterloo - which means I felt I couldn't skim through these bits as quick as I would've liked.
The other thing I found with this book is that all the characters I'd loved in the film/musical I didn't like in the book and vice versa. Fantine became a bit of a drip (I suspect that's partly to do with how a 'good' woman was perceived back then) and quite frankly deserved getting pregnant with that odious man's baby. Eponine was a lot more grotesque than she is portrayed in the film/musical, although I can she why she was glamorised for the audience, and wonder why I didn't doubt how realistically she was portrayed! I liked Cosette and Marius was a lot more stomachable (although still a bit of a stalker, again to do with the time period?). Jean Valjean was irritating with his over-zealous redemption at times but it was to carry the story more so I still liked him. However, the real stars of this novel for me are of course the Thenardiers, Little Gavroche (surely the most engaging child in literature) and M. Gillenormand who was a delight (and sadly cut from the film and musical).
I think the genius of this novel is the vast array of characters, and even the variation of the individuals in the course of their development, means that at least one of them will identify with and engage every single reader. This and the social aspects of the story truly make the book a story "for all the nations" as Victor Hugo himself said. Anyone, anywhere will find something to relate to in this book.
In summary whilst I'm glad I read it (and immensely satisfied to finish it!) It was good but I can't say I enjoyed the process as it was all a bit like hard work. However, if you consider yourself a bit of a 'reader' then you definitely should tackle this book at some point as it's definitely one of the books everyone should read.
The other thing I found with this book is that all the characters I'd loved in the film/musical I didn't like in the book and vice versa. Fantine became a bit of a drip (I suspect that's partly to do with how a 'good' woman was perceived back then) and quite frankly deserved getting pregnant with that odious man's baby. Eponine was a lot more grotesque than she is portrayed in the film/musical, although I can she why she was glamorised for the audience, and wonder why I didn't doubt how realistically she was portrayed! I liked Cosette and Marius was a lot more stomachable (although still a bit of a stalker, again to do with the time period?). Jean Valjean was irritating with his over-zealous redemption at times but it was to carry the story more so I still liked him. However, the real stars of this novel for me are of course the Thenardiers, Little Gavroche (surely the most engaging child in literature) and M. Gillenormand who was a delight (and sadly cut from the film and musical).
I think the genius of this novel is the vast array of characters, and even the variation of the individuals in the course of their development, means that at least one of them will identify with and engage every single reader. This and the social aspects of the story truly make the book a story "for all the nations" as Victor Hugo himself said. Anyone, anywhere will find something to relate to in this book.
In summary whilst I'm glad I read it (and immensely satisfied to finish it!) It was good but I can't say I enjoyed the process as it was all a bit like hard work. However, if you consider yourself a bit of a 'reader' then you definitely should tackle this book at some point as it's definitely one of the books everyone should read.
Such an incredible story, so beautifully written. Quite lengthy but worth every minute of it. One of the few books that made me cry multiple times.
fast-paced
If you like the stories about a man that gets over himself and proves to the world how he has changed and its almost a perfect man. You´ll love this book like i did, it has it all, suffering, love of all kinds, rise of the ppl... read IT!
adventurous
emotional
informative
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I love this book, especially how Victor Hugo explains the reasons behind each character's actions and gives every character a backstory. The characters are the favourite thing about the book . I start with hating javert and end up being lil emphatic about him . Fantine tragic death made me cry. We all hate Thenardier. Jean character was my favorite one and how can we forget our hero enjolars. I also love how he reflects on the characters' actions with real thought. The book made me cry and reflect on society, the meaning of love, and what it means to sacrifice. Yeah, the Waterloo and sewer chapters felt a bit unnecessary—like the details weren't really needed—but I still fuck with this book.
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I found I’m not a huge fan of the over dramatized emotions my partner stated are typical of the era this book was published in.
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I read this abridged version for a class in high school. I really enjoyed the story itself, but I thought this was a poor abridgment--lots of Hugo's long rants that aren't really significant to story development were left in while major things like character introductions were cut. It was confusing and difficult to feel emotionally attached to the story when the first time characters were introduced was when they were dying, and I had stop and think, Okay, who is that? The only way I got through it was from familiarity with the story through the musical and the Wikipedia page. It's been a long time since I read the book, though, so maybe I'm misremembering it. In any case, it's still a fantastic story and I really did enjoy reading it, although I plan on reading the full novel in the future.
4.5⭐️
It lost a half star just because of the sheer monstrosity that is the brick of the unabridged…and maybe also Waterloo. But I’m not sure if I would have been as captivated by it otherwise. My feelings are all over the place.
Unpopular opinion; but I liked the “Sewers” part. And I understood why all the other “parentheses” were in the book and why he added them. Except the monologue on slang. I think that took six months off my life. Ugh and the love letter
It lost a half star just because of the sheer monstrosity that is the brick of the unabridged…and maybe also Waterloo. But I’m not sure if I would have been as captivated by it otherwise. My feelings are all over the place.
Unpopular opinion; but I liked the “Sewers” part. And I understood why all the other “parentheses” were in the book and why he added them. Except the monologue on slang. I think that took six months off my life. Ugh and the love letter
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
when i heard that the anime i was so invested in was actually a book, i couldn't believe it. i needed to buy that book so badly, and after combing through the country to find the english copy of it (i never liked the arabic translations) i finally found a copy; the copy was a vintage classics from the penguin random house. it has 1330 pages; 1194 of which are of the actual book, and even though i don't like unabridged versions, i read through that shit. and i enjoyed every second of it.
jean valjean is the OG grumpy man whose life changes because of a little girl. he's a man who wants to change. to grow. to be better.
jean valjean is the OG grumpy man whose life changes because of a little girl. he's a man who wants to change. to grow. to be better.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Violence, War